Draft Scout: Lions still negotiating with Stafford, Smith, and Curry

According to two independent sources, I've learned that the Detroit Lions are actively negotiating with the representatives for quarterback Matthew Stafford, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith and outside linebacker Aaron Curry for the right to be the first player selected in the 2009 NFL draft. It had been suggested by some that Matt Stafford was essentially already signed, but today's news proves that this is clearly not the case. Stafford, however, remains the favorite to be the final selection, though there is increasing speculation that the Lions, like many other teams at the top of this year's draft, are beginning to favor the safer prospects of the draft, rather than riskier boom or bust propositions like quarterbacks Stafford, USC's Mark Sanchez, and Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree. - Rob Rang, The SportsXchange, NFLDraftScout.com